Chapter 27: The Four Essentials

Meager amounts of light reached the narrow passage from the wistful sunset, submerging the area in dark shadows. Ain was stoic, silently staring at his dimly lit home in the dirty alleyway. Through his perception, signs of activity were apparent inside. Someone had occupied his home.

This scene… wasn’t all that unexpected. Amidst the recent twists and turns, he’d just forgotten to consider it. Ain hadn’t returned home for a few days. To others, this brief absence indicated his demise, enticing a clamor over his belongings. The nicest hut in the neighborhood was desirable, after all.

The two crossed animal bones hanging at the door even displayed the invader’s identity. This should be the teenager who’d recently joined a local gang. Weeks prior, the neighbors were discussing this matter in hushed voices.

Staring at the door, Ain was lost in thought.

A few minutes elapsed in this manner.

Then, as if reaching a decision, he turned his back to the door.

“Sorry, I lied. I don’t have a home.” He calmly stated. Sage and Livia remain silent, glancing at his tranquil eyes, perceiving resolution and composure.

Ain’s only valued possession, the black stone, had always accompanied him. Nothing he couldn’t part with was inside the hut. It only contained bleak, lonely memories of hopelessness. Anticipating a bright and enchanting future, he ultimately decided to bury his previous slum life. It was all inconsequential to a spirit master. With fortune’s favor, his life’s trajectory had already shifted.

If he’d returned here without experiencing the city, Ain might’ve exhibited a different reaction. Exploring Everlite City with Livia broadened his horizons considerably. Just the clothes nuzzling him presently were pricier than his prior net worth.

Ain walked away with steady footsteps. Sage and Livia simply followed. Upon leaving the alley, Sage asked, “Ain, what plans do you have for the future?”

Ain replied readily, “I want to become stronger. I’ll start by completing missions at the Spirit Master Association.”

The information packet he’d received at the Spirit Master Association provided a few ideas. The numerous missions available at the association could satisfy all his needs. Accumulating starcoins, resources, and experiences wouldn’t be an issue.

“Completing missions at the Spirit Master Association is indeed a valid avenue but it is not the most desirable.” Sage started, walking beside Ain.

Ain glances at Sage with an inquisitive expression. Sage continued, “Spirit masters require four essentials to prosper. These essentials are knowledge, resources, companions, and location.”

“Knowledge encapsulates a plethora of information such as meditation techniques, spells, martial arts, academic subjects, and the various professions. Spirit masters must constantly comprehend new knowledge to advance.”

“Resources encompass a wide array of external items such as starcoins, aether crystals, magical plants, mystical ores, and powerful artifacts and equipment. These items serve to accelerate one’s training and assist during combat, increasing the chances of survival.”

“Companions, often neglected, are also essential to a spirit master’s growth. These refer to friends, families, lovers, rivals, teachers, masters, or just another consciousness to provide support and guidance. Spirit masters cannot do without sharing ideas and interacting with peers.”

“And finally, location refers to one’s geographical position. The concentration of ambient aether varies greatly across the world, with higher concentration providing immense benefits to a spirit master’s training. Aside from aether concentration, some special places can also provide unique benefits such as aiding comprehension, assisting spirit pet evolution, and even the inheritances of spirit masters from bygone ages.”

“Lacking any of these four essentials will limit a spirit master’s progress. Hence, it is important for you to take these into consideration.” Sage concluded his patient guidance, allowing Ain some time to process the information.

Ain’s gaze was fixated on the dirt road, considering Sage’s words. From the four essentials, he lacked everything to varying extents.

For knowledge, he possessed the Chronarch Precept, Temporal Blitz, Temporal Shift, and the recently gifted Spectral Blast and Aether Shield. At a glance, he didn’t seem to be lacking, but that was far from the truth.

Until I contract a time-aspect spirit pet, I can’t use Temporal Blitz or Temporal Shift.

The Chronarch Precept is amazing, but I need a ghost-aspect meditation technique since I’ve contracted Nox. Moreover, just Spectral Blast and Aether Shield are far from enough…

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

After obtaining Wisdom Root, Ain’s thoughts had shifted, manifesting a thirst for unending knowledge. He craved to learn more, whether it be spells, martial arts, or just general knowledge regarding spirit masters.

In terms of resources, there are only a few.

The Puppet Command Token has great potential as an artifact whereas the Time Binding Lily could be useful in the future. There’s also the Prismatic Void Stone, and the Pious Forest Spider’s Venom I got from Carl…

Ain wasn’t completely lacking in knowledge and resources, but the same couldn’t be said about companions and location.

He’d been alone for as long as he could remember, and now, he was homeless as well.

Wait, Sage and Livia have guided me so can they be considered as companions? He contemplated.

Providing ample time for Ain to ponder, Sage said, “Ain, If you are undecided, I have a suggestion for you. You can consider joining the Arcane Heart University.”

“Hmm? Arcane Heart University? Is that a school?” Ain snapped out of his thoughts and glanced at Sage curiously.

“You can consider it as such. The Arcane Heart University is a renowned institute across the Dawnstar Federation, fulfilling all four essentials we discussed.”

“By joining, vast amounts of knowledge and resources will be accessible to you. Naturally, as an educational institute for spirit masters, there will be no lack of peers, and special locations will be abundant.”

“The University recruits spirit masters annually and this year’s recruitment is only a month away. What do you think?”

Ain listened to Sage with rapt attention. His education was limited to what was taught at the orphanage. Having never attended a traditional school, one specifically catering to spirit masters was very intriguing. Aside from general interest, the university could fulfill all his present needs.

He was naturally attracted.

“How can I join?” Ain asked expectantly.

“You can join by passing their annual recruitment test.” Sage answered with a smile.

“A recruitment test? It doesn’t require any fees?” Ain inquired seriously. If it weren’t for the high fees, he would’ve attended school years ago.

It was Livia who replied this time. “There are no fees. The university also benefits immensely from their students. While being an educational institute, it is also an organization with self-interests. You will naturally understand later.”

Ain nodded in understanding.

“So, shall I take you there?” Livia suddenly suggested.

“It’s fine. I can find it.” Ain replied. He wanted to test his new identification by entering through the city gates.

Livia chuckled at Ain’s statement, her voice like soothing bells, “Although I wish to see you try, I will tell you that Arcane Heart University is not within Everlite City.”

“Huh? Then where is it?” Ain was stunned. He’d naturally assumed it was within Everlite City.

“It is situated in the middle of the Emerald Garden, far from here.” Livia answered.

From what he’d learned recently, the Emerald Garden was one of the massive landmasses comprising the Dawnstar Archipelago. Everlite City was situated on the southern outskirts of the Emerald Garden. How far was this from Arcane Heart University?

“How far is it?” Ain asked uneasily. He hadn’t considered leaving Everlite City. Although he’d never entered it before today, the familiar name still brought comfort.

“Consider this. With your present abilities, traveling without assistance, you will need over a decade to reach Arcane Heart University, and that is if you survive.” Livia explained with a laugh.

“A decade?” Ain couldn’t hold back his exclamation. His memories only began a little over a decade ago! As a Rank-1 Spirit Master, he could travel much faster than regular humans. Despite that, it still required so much time?

Wait. Livia just suggested taking me there…

Does that mean she can teleport at such large distances? While considering Livia’s words, Ain suddenly realized, causing him to stare at her in reverence.

Upon sensing Ain’s innocent admiration, Livia puffed out her chest with pride. “What do you think, Ain? Are you ready to leave?” She asked smilingly. For a moment, Ain was conflicted. Without a doubt, he wanted to join Arcane Heart University, but it was a bit too sudden.

Silence ensued for a few minutes.

Sage and Livia didn’t disturb Ain, simply accompanying his footsteps.

Ain recalled the tumultuous week.

He’d just finished a herb delivery when his innate talent awakened. Then, he was deceived by the guards, falling prey to Carl and Mason’s ploy. Upon condensing his aethercore, it was immediately extracted, sending him to death. However, he unexpectedly survived due to a mysterious power which also mutated his innate talent, granting him Wisdom Root. He’d recondensed his aethercore, reached Rank-1, and contracted Nox. After learning Temporal Blitz, he’d attained victory against Carl and Mason, avenging himself while escaping the hidden realm.

Considering these events, which one of them wasn’t abrupt? He wasn’t prepared for any of them, yet, forced to confront them, he didn’t cower. Well, he may have cowered, but ultimately succeeded, reaping great rewards!

Ain breathed in deeply, held it in for a few seconds, and slowly breathed out.

“There’s still one matter I need to settle.”

…

With the arrival of dusk, the thriving market near the southern gate was beginning to settle. Two guards, dressed in similar leather armor, patrolled the dusty streets in the slum, conversing lightly with their hands on sheathed swords.

“Damn, we finally got away from the others. You heard anything about those two spirit masters yet?”

“Nope. I’m sure they tricked us. They probably left after taking the kid.”

“Tch. So, we worked for free?”

“Not really. The captain’s the spirit master responsible for the gate. It’s worth it to gain favor by doing his dirty work.”

“I guess you’re right.”

While talking, one of the guards saw a narrow alley. Glancing around, he said, “Yo, cover me. Gonna take a leak.”

“Be quick.”

With that, the two guards entered the alley. Leaning against the walls, one of the guards watched his companion walk further in, whistling to himself boredly.

At this moment, a dull sound suddenly appeared.

Thud!

“What?” Startled, the guard hastily unsheathed his sword. Inside the dark alley, he vaguely spotted his comrade fallen onto the ground.

“Who is it!?” The guard shouted in feigned anger all the while retreating towards the alley’s entrance.

“Wooo…”

At this moment, a haunting voice reverberated in the alley, causing his skin to crawl. Just as he was about to scream, a sharp white claw abruptly swept past his neck.

Spurt!

“Ugh…”

In the guard’s vision, the dark alley grew even darker, reflecting the menacing beckons of death.

Thud!

The guard’s lifeless body slumped onto the ground, joining his friend with despair painted on his face.